Identification of a conserved var gene in different Plasmodium falciparum strains

Dimonte, S., Bruske, E. I., Enderes, C., Otto, T. D. , Turner, L., Kremsner, P. and Frank, M. (2020) Identification of a conserved var gene in different Plasmodium falciparum strains. Malaria Journal, 19(1), 194. (doi: 10.1186/s12936-020-03257-x) (PMID:32471507) (PMCID:PMC7260770)

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Abstract

Background: The multicopy var gene family of Plasmodium falciparum is of crucial importance for pathogenesis and antigenic variation. So far only var2csa, the var gene responsible for placental malaria, was found to be highly conserved among all P. falciparum strains. Here, a new conserved 3D7 var gene (PF3D7_0617400) is identified in several field isolates. Methods: DNA sequencing, transcriptional analysis, Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 36-receptor binding, indirect immunofluorescence with PF3D7_0617400-antibodies and quantification of surface reactivity against semi-immune sera were used to characterize an NF54 clone and a Gabonese field isolate clone (MOA C3) transcribing the gene. A population of 714 whole genome sequenced parasites was analysed to characterize the conservation of the locus in African and Asian isolates. The genetic diversity of two var2csa fragments was compared with the genetic diversity of 57 microsatellites fragments in field isolates. Results: PFGA01_060022400 was identified in a Gabonese parasite isolate (MOA) from a chronic infection and found to be 99% identical with PF3D7_0617400 of the 3D7 genome strain. Transcriptional analysis and immunofluorescence showed expression of the gene in an NF54 and a MOA clone but CD36 binding assays and surface reactivity to semi-immune sera differed markedly in the two clones. Long-read Pacific bioscience whole genome sequencing showed that PFGA01_060022400 is located in the internal cluster of chromosome 6. The full length PFGA01_060022400 was detected in 36 of 714 P. falciparum isolates and 500 bp fragments were identified in more than 100 isolates. var2csa was in parts highly conserved (He = 0) but in other parts as variable (He = 0.86) as the 57 microsatellites markers (He = 0.8). Conclusions: Individual var gene sequences exhibit conservation in the global parasite population suggesting that purifying selection may limit overall genetic diversity of some var genes. Notably, field and laboratory isolates expressing the same var gene exhibit markedly different phenotypes.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by the German Israeli Foundation (to C.E., SD. and M.F.) and the German ministry for education and research (BMBF) (Grant Nr. 01KA110) (to E.B. and M.F.).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Otto, Professor Thomas
Authors: Dimonte, S., Bruske, E. I., Enderes, C., Otto, T. D., Turner, L., Kremsner, P., and Frank, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Research Centre:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
Journal Name:Malaria Journal
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1475-2875
ISSN (Online):1475-2875
Copyright Holders:Copyright © The Author(s) 2020.
First Published:First published in Malaria Journal 19(1):194
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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